Learn What I Wish I Knew Before Deciding on the Right College for Me (Before It’s Too Late to Change Yours)
I’m about to start at ASU in the fall, and honestly? I’m not sure I made all the right choices. But maybe my college selection mistakes can help you make better decisions and choose the right college for you.
Choosing the right college is overwhelming – trust me, I just went through it. Between rankings, campus visits, financial aid letter, and everyone’s opinions, it’s easy to lose sight of what actually matters.
I committed to Arizona State University, and while I’m excited, I also have a nagging feeling I could have been more thoughtful about the whole process. So before you make your final college decision (or if you’re second guessing like I am), here are the 5 most important things I learned about how to choose a college.
PS – Stay till the end to receive a FREE college selection & reflection guide…Perfect for both those still deciding and those who are second-guessing their choice
1. Start With What YOU Actually Want (Not What Rankings Say)
My Mistake: I got completely caught up in college rankings and “prestige” at first. I kept wondering if ASU was “good enough” compared to higher-ranked schools.
What I learned: Rankings don’t measure what makes a college right for you.
The questions that actually helped me figure out what I wanted:
- Do I thrive in big or small environments?
- What kind of social scene do I want?
- How important is it to being close to or far from home?
- What does my ideal day-to-day college life look like?
Let me be honest – I definitely got caught up in the whole “brand name” thing at first. I kept looking at those college ranking lists, wondering if ASU was “good enough” compared to some of the more prestigious schools I was considering.
I originally wanted to go out of state SO badly. I had dreams of moving across the country, being completely independent, and having that classic “college experience” you see in movies. But when I really thought about it, staying in Arizona actually had benefits I hadn’t considered (because my judgement was clouded by those “better” around me). There’s great weather year-round, I already know my way around town, and I have guaranteed friends going to ASU as well.
I needed a mindset change. The real question wasn’t “What will people think of my school?” It’s “Will this school help me become who I want to be?”
2. Campus Culture & Daily Life Matter More Than You Think
My embarrassing confession: I’ve been to ASU’s campus multiple times but never actually took a proper campus tour. I thought I “knew” the campus, but being there for events is totally different from imagining your daily student life.
What I wish I’d done: Not only took a proper tour, but spend time on campus like I was already a student there.
How to get the true campus culture evaluation that tours won’t show you:
- Walk around campus during normal schoool hours
- Sit in dining halls and observe student interactions
- Study in the library and common areas
- Talk to random current students (not just tour guides)
- Pay attention to how you FEEL being there
I have no idea how far apart my classes will be or where I’ll want to hang out between lectures because I didn’t do these things. Don’t make my mistake – actually experience the campus as your potential home for four years.
Campus visit tip: Ask yourself- do these students seem reasonably happy or stressed out of their minds? Can I picture myself here on a random Tuesday?
3. Research Your Actual Major Program (Not Just the Overall School’s Reputation)
Where I might have really messed up: I knew ASU was popular for engineering and I liked science, so I decided on biomedical engineering with a molecular biosciences focus. Sounds logical, right?
The problem: I still don’t necessarily know what I’ll be doing on the day-to-day. I want to do tissue engineering, which could be learned about in biomedical engineering, but the major is so broad that I’m worried it’ll leave me astray.
I never thought to:
- Talk to current students in the program
- Look into specific professors or research opportunities
- Understand what my actual classes would be like
- Explore other job prospects or career paths in the major
How to research your major properly (unlike me):
- Contact current students in your program through social media
- Look up professors and their research interests
- Check job placement rates and starting salaries
- Read course descriptions for required classes
- Explore internship and research opportunities
Maybe I’ll love biomedical engineering and it’ll end up working out perfectly…Or maybe I’ll change my major three times after talking to my advisor. But either way, I definitely should have done more homework on the homework that I’ll actually be doing.
4. Be Brutally Honest About College Costs & Financial Reality
The hard truth: Financial aid letters and doing the actual math made my decision much clearer.
I wanted that out-of-state experience, but when the numbers came in? My bank account was basically screaming at me to stay in state. At first, I felt like I was settling. But now? Now I’m actually grateful.
Here’s why:
- I’ll graduate with way less debt
- I can visit home when I need to (or want my mom’s cooking)
- I can focus on studies instead of financial stress
- Arizona isn’t exactly a terrible place to spend four years
Questions you need to ask about college costs:
- What can my family actually afford without crippling debt?
- Have I factored in housing, food, textbooks, and travel?
- What scholarships am I eligible for and what are the requirements?
- How will student loans affect my life after graduation?
The merit scholarship I received at ASU made the decision so much clearer. Starting college without crushing debt feels like a huge win, and I can always do study abroad or grad school somewhere else if I want that out-of-state experience later.
5. Remember That State Schools (Including Community Colleges) Aren’t “Settling”
My internal struggle: I felt like choosing ASU meant taking the “easy” or “less impressive” route.
All my friends were talking about out-of-state schools and private colleges, and here I was picking the big state school 20 minutes from my house. I was scared people would think I wasn’t ambitious enough.
Reality check: ASU has 80,000+ students, incredible research opportunities, strong alumni networks, and programs that consistently rank among the best in the country. Plus, I won’t graduate with crushing debt.
Being close to home is actually a huge advantage:
- I can focus on my studies instead of being homesick
- I can take internships nearby during the school year
- I already know the area, so I can spend energy figuring out college instead of figuring out a new city
- I have a built-in support system
There’s nothing wrong with choosing the practical option, especially when the practical option is still a great school.
What I’m Learning: Where You Go Doesn’t Define Your Success
Here’s what I’m trying to remember as I head into freshman year: the name on my diploma won’t matter nearly as much as what I actually DO during my four years.
The opportunities I create, relationships I build, skills I develop, and experiences I have – that’s what will shape my future. Not whether I went to a “top 10” school or stayed in-state.
I can do incredible research at ASU. I can build amazing friendships. I can get involved in clubs, internships, and projects that excite me. Your college doesn’t make you successful – you make yourself successful at college.
How to Choose the Right College: Your Action Plan
If you’re still deciding or second-guessing your choice, here’s what I’d do differently:
- Take real campus visits – spend a full day there like you’re already a student
- Research your specific major program – talk to current students, not just admissions counselors
- Run the numbers honestly – consider long-term financial impact
- Think about support systems – being close to family isn’t a weakness
- Remember transfers are possible – your first choice doesn’t have to be forever
How to Choose the Right College: Final Thoughts
I’m nervous about starting at ASU, but I’m also excited. Maybe I made some decisions for the wrong reasons, but I’m going to make the most of where I ended up.
And honestly? That might be the most important college lesson of all – it’s not about making perfect choices, it’s about making the best of the choices you make.
The “perfect” college probably doesn’t exist, but the right college for you definitely does. Focus on finding a place where you can grow, learn, and build the future you want – regardless of what anyone else thinks about your choice.
What’s your biggest worry about your college choice? Let me know in the comments – chances are, we’re all feeling more similar than we think.
Ready to make sure you’re choosing the right college for YOU? Use my College Fit Reflection Template to work through the questions I wish I’d asked myself before committing. Don’t make my mistakes – make informed decisions instead.
If you want to learn more about me, or my blog, make sure to check out Becoming Academic‘s Welcome Page for more information!
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